Artvin hosts regional mountain bike race with 41 youth competitors

The Turkish Cycling Federation, together with the Artvin Youth and Sports Directorate, staged the 3rd Region 3rd Stage Mountain Bike Race at the Kafkasör Plateau. Forty‑one riders aged 11 to 17 from Rize, Erzurum, Van and Giresun competed in U11, U13, U15 and U17 categories on technical 1 km and 1.7 km courses featuring steep descents, sharp turns and obstacles.

Sports Services Director Latif Yılmaztürk said the event aims to promote Artvin and develop mountain‑bike racing in the region. One competitor, 13‑year‑old Fatmagül Kutu, explained, "I rode 4 laps instead of 3 because of excitement; my goal is to join the national team." Another rider, Nisa Enzel Kirez, added, "My bike slipped and I fell, but I kept racing; the course was technical but overall very nice." Coach Ömer Faruk Demir reported his team achieved second‑ through fifth‑place finishes.